2.1 computer speakers

agfkfhahddhdn · May 30, 2016

Came back from a week-long vacation, plugged all my electronics back in, and my 'ol Klipsch Promedia 2.1s went "snap, pop, fizzle" and stopped working. So I'm looking to get a new set of 2.1 speakers, hoping to pay under $50. I am fully aware that, in that price range, I'm going to be downgrading significantly, but I live in a third floor apartment these days, I couldn't use even a tenth of the Klipsch's power without waking the neighbors. Just looking for something that won't sound like absolute trash when listening to music.

nerp · May 30, 2016

Often with the Klipsch, it's the sub that dies. You can replace just the sub for not much money. Otherwise, I'm actually quite happy with a basic Bose Companion II setup for 2.0 audio. Always railed on Bose but these are great speakers for the price and my usage scenario.

Hugh Jass · May 30, 2016

agfkfhahddhdn · May 30, 2016

nerp said:
Often with the Klipsch, it's the sub that dies. You can replace just the sub for not much money. Otherwise, I'm actually quite happy with a basic Bose Companion II setup for 2.0 audio. Always railed on Bose but these are great speakers for the price and my usage scenario.

you are correct, i think the satellites are fine, but they are not of much use without the sub since they all connect through it. one of the wire clips broke off a few years ago too so it was always a pain to get them connected. i put in a support request with them so hopefully it's possible to get replacement parts for cheaper than buying a whole new set.

Hugh Jass said:
Take your pick...Amazon is full of 'em:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-LOG9...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acousti...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-A250...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Mult...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acousti...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acousti...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Spea...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-LS21...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Insp...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acousti...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acousti...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011

have you used any of these yourself? obviously there are a lot but i'm not sure if any actually sound very good.

Hugh Jass · May 30, 2016

wicka said:
have you used any of these yourself? obviously there are a lot but i'm not sure if any actually sound very good.

I use Creative GigaWorks T20 Series IIs.

But at $50 and under anything you pick should be okay as long as it's not a way off brand because at that price point they're all going to pretty much sound the same.

agfkfhahddhdn · May 30, 2016

Hugh Jass said:
I use Creative GigaWorks T20 Series IIs.

But at $50 and under anything you pick should be okay as long as it's not a way off brand because at that price point they're all going to pretty much sound the same.

hmmmm...well I may be willing to go a bit higher, pending a response from klipsch. thanks gang.

JeffMD · May 30, 2016

I currently use logitechs budget set of 2.1 speakers on a TV in my room. Surprised at the sound quality for sure. The only downside is its ONLY hookup is a male headphone plug.

freeskier93 · Jun 5, 2016

I've had my cheap Logitech 2.1s for a good 7 years now, no issues and they sound pretty darn good. You really aren't going to have an issue with any of the name brands, and in an apartment where you can't crank them up they are going to sound just fine, anything more is really just a waste.

Honestly I'd just go with the ones that look the best and call it a day.

slackerinabox · Jun 5, 2016

I've been meaning to try out edifier 2.1's on amazon - sub $50. Otherwise logitech's pretty solid, and refurbs are cheap

jhansman · Jun 10, 2016

As I type this, I am listening to a Logitech Z3, 2.1 system I bought for one of my kids several years ago. Had it stored for a long time, and when my ancient Yamaha set died, I hooked this system up. Amazing how good it sounds, even cranked up. Looking on the web, it doesn't seem to be available any longer, but whatever I paid for it was worth it. If you can, go listen before buying. I reckon Logitech is still making computer audio, so they may be worth at listen now.

WhiteNoise · Jun 24, 2016

I'd just fix the Klipsch amp. I used to own the 4.1's when they released. Lasted me for many years before the sub amp blew. But it was my fault as my AC leaked water onto it.

Great sounding pc speakers though.

PliotronX · Jun 27, 2016

Honestly the reason why "high end" PC audio isn't a thing anymore is because of affordable HQ amps. Subs that typically come with multimedia sets are usually overly boomy and single-note-heavy so if transmitting nasty bass is a concern, I'd just go with a monitor type setup:

Class-T amp $29
Bookshelf pair $35

Either that or some nice earphones...

Imp · Jun 27, 2016

^I wish a big brand like Yamaha or Pioneer would come out with a compact amp like that. Just got rid of my 2.1 bookshelf, receiver, sub system. It sounded amazing, but I wanted something smaller and portable.

Looks like I'm going with the Bose Companion 2 Series III. The Creative T20 was tempting but it's hard to find locally, and I don't like the blue LED on the volume knob.

agfkfhahddhdn · Jun 29, 2016

lenjack · Jul 2, 2016

Go to ebay, and get a set of pcworks by Cambridge Soundworks, for under $40. I think no longer in production, the sound will blow you away, and you'll swear you've spent $300!

rh71 · Jul 10, 2016

lenjack said:
Go to ebay, and get a set of pcworks by Cambridge Soundworks, for under $40. I think no longer in production, the sound will blow you away, and you'll swear you've spent $300!

I tend to agree with this because I just wanted something more modern than the Cambridge Soundworks 2.1 I have now. I paid $35 for http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acousti...computer+speakers&refinements=p_36:1253504011 and it sounded so weak and hollow that I instantly repackaged it and filed an RMA. It seemed more fit for laptop use and the bass was nearly non-existent. I can't say for sure, but it's doubtful I can match what I already have with anything under $50, even today.

MongGrel · Jul 10, 2016

lenjack said:
Go to ebay, and get a set of pcworks by Cambridge Soundworks, for under $40. I think no longer in production, the sound will blow you away, and you'll swear you've spent $300!

Still have a set of those hooked up to the wifes desktop. They sound pretty nice for little cubes and decent bass.

Have a similar set of old Altec Lansings on the HTPC in the bedroom, I think they are a little better that came with a Dell may years ago. Some of the bundled 2.1 speakers used to be pretty nice.

rh71 said:
I tend to agree with this because I just wanted something more modern than the Cambridge Soundworks 2.1 I have now. I paid $35 for http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acoustics-Subwoofer-Frustration-CA-3602FFP/dp/B00BXF5HQ8/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1464636667&sr=1-2&keywords=2.1+computer+speakers&refinements=p_36%3A1253504011 and it sounded so weak and hollow that I instantly repackaged it and filed an RMA. It seemed more fit for laptop use and the bass was nearly non-existent. I can't say for sure, but it's doubtful I can match what I already have with anything under $50, even today.

For under $50 a good set is hard to do really.

Was on another forum a guy mentioned they had about 20 sets of the Altec Lansing Dells I mentioned in their storeroom not even opened, and they threw them in the trash cleaning it out

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2.1 computer speakers

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